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Aratus Defends Himself

Meanwhile Apelles, thinking that, by the election

The intrigue of Apelles.

of the Achaean Strategus through his influence,
he had partly succeeded in his policy, began
once more attacking Aratus, with the view of
entirely detaching Philip from his friendship: and he accordingly determined to make up an accusation against him
grounded on the following circumstance: When Amphidamus,
the Elean Strategus, had been, with the other refugees, made
prisoner at Thalamae, and had been brought among other
captives to Olympia, he made earnest efforts by the agency
of certain individuals to be allowed an interview with the
king. This favour having been accorded him, he made a
statement to the effect that it was in his power to bring over
the Eleans to the king's side, and induce them to enter into
alliance with him. Philip believed him; and accordingly dismissed
Amphidamus without ransom, with instructions to
promise the Eleans, that, if they would join the king, he would
restore their captive citizens without ransom, and would himself secure their territory safely from all outside attacks: and
besides this would maintain them in freedom, without impost
or foreign garrison, and in enjoyment of their several constitutions.

But the Eleans refused to listen to the proposal, although
the offer was thought attractive and substantial. Apelles
therefore used this circumstance to found the false accusation
which he now brought before Philip, alleging that Aratus was
not a loyal friend to the Macedonians, nor sincere in his
feelings towards them: "He was responsible for this alienation
of the Eleans; for when the king despatched Amphidamus
from Olympia into Elis, Aratus took him aside and talked to
him, asserting that it was by no means to the interest of the
Peloponnesians that Philip should become supreme in Elis:
and this was the reason of the Eleans despising the king's offers,
and clinging to the friendship of the Aetolians, and persisting
in war against the Macedonians."

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